Several Poems, Poem 3
Of the four Ages of Man.
LO now four other act upon the ſtage.
Childhood and Youth the Manly & Old age;
The firſt ſon unto flegm, Grand-child to water,
Unſtable, ſupple, co… and moiſt's his nature.
The ſecond frolick, claims his pedegree
From blood and air, for hot and moiſt is he.
The third of fire and Choler is compos…d
Vindicative and quarrelſome diſpos'd.
The laſt of earth, and heavy melancholy,
Solid, hating all lightneſs and all folly.
Childhood was cloth'd in white & green to ſhow
His ſpring was intermixed with ſome ſnow:
Upon his head nature a Garland ſet
Of Primroſe, Daizy & the Violet.
Such cold mean flowrs the ſpring puts forth betime
Before the ſun hath throughly heat the clime.
His Hobby ſtriding did not ride but run,
And in his hand an hour-glaſs new begun,
In danger every moment of a fall,
And when tis broke then ends his life and all:
But if he hold till it have run its laſt,
Then may he live out threeſcore years or paſt.
Next Youth came up in gorgeous attire,
(As that fond age doth moſt of all deſire)
His Suit of Crimſon and his ſcarfe of green,
His pride in's countenance was quickly ſeen,
Garland of roſes, pinks and gilli-flowers
Seemed on's head to grow bedew'd with ſhowers:
His face as freſh as is Aurora fair,
When bluſhing ſhe firſt 'gins to light the air.
No wooden horſe, but one of mettal try'd,
He ſeems to fly or ſwim, and not to ride.
Then prancing on the ſtage, about …e wheels,
But as he went death waited at his heels.
The next came up in a much graver ſort,
As one that cared for a good report,
His ſword by's ſide, and choler in his eyes,
But neither us'd as yet, for he was wiſe:
Of Autumns fruits a basket on his arm,
His golden God in's purſe, which was his charm.
And laſt of all to act upon this ſtage
Leaning upon his ſtaff came up Old Age,
Under his arm a ſheaf of wheat he bore,
An harveſt of the beſt, what needs he more?
In's other hand a glaſs ev'n almoſt run,
Thus writ about This out then am I done.
His hoary hairs, and grave aſpect made way,
And all gave ear to what he had to ſay.
Theſe being met each in his equipage
Intend to ſpeak according to their age:
But wiſe Old age did with all gravity
To childiſh Childhood give precedency,
And to the reſt his reaſon mildly told,
That he was young before he grew ſo old.
To do as he each one full ſoon aſſents,
Their method was that of the Elements,
That each ſhould tell what of himſelf he knew,
Both good and bad, but yet no more then's true.
With heed now ſtood three ages of frail man,
To hear the child, who crying thus began:
Childhood.
Ah me! conceiv'd in ſin and born with ſorrow,
A nothing, here to day and gone to morrow,
VVhoſe mean beginning bluſhing can't reveal,
But night and darkneſs muſt with ſhame conceal.
My mothers breeding ſickneſs I will ſpare,
Her nine moneths weary burthen not declare.
To ſhew her bearing pains, I ſhould do wrong,
To tell thoſe pangs which can't be told by tongue:
VVith tears into the world I did arrive,
My mother ſtill did waſte as I did thrive,
Who yet with love and all alacrity,
Spending, was willing to be ſpent for me.
With wayward cryes I did diſturb her reſt,
Who ſought ſtill to appeaſe me with the breaſt:
With weary arms ſhe danc'd and By By ſung,
When wr…tched I ingrate had done the wrong.
When infancy was paſt, my childiſhneſs
Did act …ll folly that it could expreſs,
My ſillineſs did only take delight
In that which riper age did ſcorn and ſlight.
In Rattles, Baubles and ſuch toyiſh ſtuff,
My then ambitious thoughts were low enough:
My high-born ſoul ſo ſtraightly was confin'd,
That its own worth it did not know nor mind:
This little houſe of fleſh did ſpacious count,
Through ignorance all troubles did ſurmount;
Yet this advantage had mine ignorance
Freedom from envy and from arrogance.
How to be rich or great I did not cark,
A Baron or a Duke ne'r made my mark,
Nor ſtudious was Kings …avours how to buy,
With coſtly preſence or baſe flattery:
No office coveted wherein I might
Make ſtrong my ſelf and turn aſide weak right:
No malice bare to this or that great Peer,
Nor unto buzzing whiſperers gave ear:
I gave no hand nor vote for death or life,
I'd nought to do 'twixt King and peoples ſtrife.
No Statiſt I, nor Martiliſt in'th field,
Where ere I went mine innocence was ſhield.
My quarrels not for Diadems did riſe,
But for an apple, plum, or ſome ſuch prize:
My ſtrokes did 'cauſe no blood no wounds or skars,
My little wrath did end ſoon as my Warrs:
My Duel was no challeng, nor did ſeek
My foe ſhould weltring in his bowels reek.
I had no ſuits at law neighbours to vex,
Nor evidence for lands did me perplex.
I fear'd no ſtorms, nor all the wind that blowes,
I had no ſhips at ſea; nor fraights to looſe.
I fear'd no drought nor wet, I had no crop,
Nor yet on future things did ſet my hope.
This was mine innocence, but ah! the ſeeds
Lay raked up of all the curſed weeds
Which ſprouted forth in mine enſuing age,
As he can tel that next comes on the ſtage:
But yet let me relate before I go
The ſins and dangers I am ſubject to,
Stained from birth with Adams ſinfull fact,
Thence I began to ſin as ſoon as act:
A perverſe will, a love to what's forbid,
A ſerpents ſting in pleaſing face lay hid:
A lying tongue as ſoon as it could ſpeak,
And fifth Commandment do daily break.
Oft ſtubborn, peeviſh, ſullen, pout and cry,
Then nought can pleaſe, and yet I know not why.
As many are my ſins, ſo dangers too;
For ſin brings ſorrow, ſickneſs death and woe:
And though I miſs the toſſings of the mind,
Yet griefs in my frail fleſh I ſtill do find.
VVhat gripes of wind mine infancy did pain,
VVhat tortures I in breeding teeth ſuſtain?
VVhat crudityes my ſtomack cold' hath bred,
VVhence vomits, flux and worms have iſſued?
VVhat breaches, knocks and falls I daily have,
And ſome perhaps I carry to my grave,
Sometimes in fire, ſometimes in water fall,
Strangly preſev'd, yet mind it not at all:
At home, abroad my dangers manifold,
That wonder tis, my glaſs till now doth hold.
I've done; unto my elders I give way,
For tis but little that a child can ſay.
Youth.
My goodly cloathing, and my beauteous skin
Declare ſome greater riches are within:
But what is beſt I'le firſt preſent to view,
And then the worſt in a more ugly hue:
For thus to doe we on this ſtage aſſemble,
Then let not him that hath moſt craft diſſemble,
My education and my learning ſuch,
As might my ſelf and others profit much;
VVith nurture trained up in virtues ſchools
Of ſcience, arts and tongues I know the rules,
The manners of the court I alſo know,
And ſo likewiſe what they in'th Country doe.
The brave attempts of valiant knights I prize,
That dare ſcale walls and ſorts rear'd to the skies.
The ſ…orting Horſe, the trumpet, Drum I like,
The glitt'ring ſword, the Piſtol and the Pike:
I cannot lye intrench'd before a town,
No… wait till good ſucceſs our hopes doth crown:
I ſcorn the heavy Corſlet, musket-proof;
I fly to catch the bullet thats aloof.
Though thus in field, at home to all moſt kind,
So affable, that I can ſuit each mind.
I can inſinuate into the breaſt,
And by my mirth can raiſe the heart depreſt:
Sweet muſick raps my brave harmonious ſoul,
My high thoughts elevate beyond the pole:
My wit, my bounty, and my courteſie,
Make all to place their future hopes on me.
This is my beſt▪ but Youth is known, Alas!
To be as wild as is the ſnuffing Aſs:
As vain as froth, or vanity can be,
That who would ſee vain man, may look on me
My gifts abus…d▪ my education loſt,
My wofull Parents longing hopes are croſt,
My wit evaporates in merriment,
My valour in ſome beaſtly quarrell's ſpent:
My luſt doth hurry me to all that's ill:
I know no law nor reaſon but my will.
Sometimes lay wait to take a wealthy purſe,
Or ſtab the man in's own defence (that's worſe)
Sometimes I cheat (unkind) a female heir
Of all at once▪ who not ſo wiſe as fair
Truſteth my loving looks and glozing tongue,
Untill her friends, treaſure and honour's gone.
Sometimes I ſit carouſing others health,
Untill mine own be gone, my wit and wealth…
From pipe to pot, from pot to words and blows,
For he that loveth wine, wanteth no woes.
Whole nights with Ruffins, Roarers Fidlers ſpend,
To all obſcenity mine ears I lend:
All Counſell hate, which tends to make me wiſe.
And deareſt friends count for mine enemies.
If any care I take tis to be fine,
For ſure my ſuit▪ more then my virtues ſhine
If time from leud Companions I can ſpare▪
'Tis ſpent to curle, and pounce my new bought hair.
Some new Adonis I do ſtrive to be;
Sardanapalus n…w ſurvives in me.
Cards, Dice, and Oathes concomitant I love,
To playes, to maſques, to …averns ſtill I move.
And in a word, if what I am you'd hear,
Seek out a Brittiſh bruitiſh Cavaleer:
Such wretch, ſuch Monſter am I but yet more,
I have no heart at all this to deplore,
Remembring not the dreadfull day of doom,
Nor yet that heavy reckoning ſoon to come.
Though dangers do attend me every hour,
And gaſtly Death oft threats me with his power,
Sometimes by wounds in idle Combates taken,
Sometimes with Agues all my body ſhaken:
Sometimes by fevers, all my moiſture drinking,
My heart lies frying, & mine eyes are ſinking,
Sometimes the Quinſey, painfull Pleuriſie,
With ſad affrighrs of death doth menace me:
Sometimes the two fold Pox me ſore be marrs
With outward marks, & inward loathſome ſcarrs,
Sometimes the Phrenzy ſtrangly mads my brain,
That oft for it in Bedlam I remain.
Too many my diſeaſes to recite,
That wonder tis, I yet behold the light,
That yet my bed in darkneſs is not made,
And I in black oblivions Den now laid.
Of aches full my bones, of woe my heart,
Clapt in that priſon, never thence to ſtart.
Thus I have ſaid, and what I've been, you ſee
Childhood and Youth are vain ye vanity.
Middle Age.
Childhood and Youth (forgot) I've ſometimes ſeen
And now am grown more ſtaid who have bin green
What they have done, the ſame was done by me,
As was their praiſe or ſhame, ſo mine muſt be.
Now age is more; more good you may expect,
But more mine age, the more is my defect.
When my wild oates were ſown & ripe and mown
I then receiv'd an harveſt of mine own.
My reaſon then bad judge how little hope
My empty ſeed ſhould yield a better crop:
Then with both hands I graſpt the world together
Thus out of one extream into another:
But yet laid hold on virtue ſeemingly,
Who climbs without hold climbs dangerouſly▪
Be my condition mean, I then take pains
My Family to keep, but not for gains.
A Father I, for children muſt provide;
But if none, then for kindred near ally'd.
If rich, I'm urg…d then to gather more,
To bear a port i'th' world, and feed the poor.
If noble, then mine honour …o maintain,
If not, riches nobility can gain.
For time, for place, likewiſe for each Relation
I wanted not, my ready allegation.
Yet all my powers for ſelf ends are not ſpent,
For hundreds bleſs me for my bounty lent.
Whoſe backs I've cloth'd, and bellyes I have fe…
With mine own fleec…, & with my houſhold bread,
Yea, juſtice have I done, was I in place,
To chear the good, and wicked to deface.
The proud I cruſh't, th'oppreſſed I ſet free,
The lyars curb'd, but nouriſht verity.
Was I a Paſtor, I my Flock did feed,
And gently lead the Lambs as they had need.
A Captain I, with Skill I train'd my Band,
And ſhew'd them how in fa…e of Foes to ſtand.
A Souldier I, with ſpeed I did obey
As readily, as could my leader ſay.
Was I a labourer, I wrought all day
As cheerfully as e're I took my pay.
Thus hath mine Age in all ſometimes done well▪
Sometimes again, mine Age been worſe then Hell.
In meanneſs, greatneſs, riches, poverty▪
Did toyle, did broyle, oppreſſ'd, did ſteal and lye.
Was I as poor as poverty could be,
Then baſeneſs was Companion unto me.
Such ſcum as hedges and high-ways do yield,
As neither ſow, nor rea…, nor plant nor build,
If to Agriculture I was or…ain'd,
Great labours, ſorrows, Croſſes I ſuſtain'd.
The early Cock did ſummon but in vain▪
My wakeful thoughts up to my painful gain:
My weary Beaſt reſt from his toyle can find,
But if I reſt the more diſtreſt my mind.
If happineſs my ſordidneſs hath found,
'Twas in the Crop of my manured ground.
My thriving Cattle and my new-milch-Cow,
My fleeced Sheep, and fruitful farrowing Sow:
To greater things I never did aſpire,
My dunghil thoughts or hopes could reach no higher.
If to be rich or great it was my fate,
How was I broyl'd with envy and with hate?
Greater then was the great'ſt was my deſire,
And thirſt for honour, ſet my heart on fire:
And by Ambition's ſails I was ſo car…ied,
That over Flats and ſands, and Rocks I hurried,
Oppreſt and ſunk, and ſtav'd all in my way
That did oppoſe me, to my longed Bay.
My thirſt was higher then nobility,
I oft lo…g'd ſore to taſt on Royalty:
Then Kings muſt be depos'd or put to flight,
I might poſſeſs that Throne which was their right;
There ſet, I rid my ſelf ſtraight out of hand
Of ſuch Competitors, as might in time withſtand.
Then thought my ſtate firm founded ſure to laſt,
But in a trice 'tis ruin'd by a blaſt,
Though cemented with more then noble bloud,
The bottom nought, and ſo no longer ſtood.
Sometimes vain glory is the only baite
Whereby my empty Soul is lur'd and caught.
Be I of wit, of learning, and of parts,
I judge I ſhould have room in all mens hearts,
And envy gnaws if any do ſurmount,
I hate, not to be held in high'ſt account.
If Bias like I'm ſtript unto my skin,
I glory in my wealth I have within.
Thus good and bad, and what I am you ſee,
Now in a word, what my diſeaſes be.
The vexing ſtone in bladder and in reins,
The Strangury torments me with ſore pains.
The windy Cholick oft my bowels rend,
To break the darkſome priſon where it's pen'd.
The Cramp and Gout doth ſadly torture me,
And the reſtraining, lame Sciatica.
The Aſtma, Megrim, Palſy, Lethargie,
The quartan Ague, dropſy, Lunacy:
Subject to all diſtempers (that's the truth)
Though ſome more incident, to Age or Youth.
And to conclude, I may not tedious be,
Man at his beſt eſtate is vanity.
Old Age.
What you have been, ev'n ſuch have I before·
And all you ſay, ſay I, and ſomewhat more.
Babes innocence, youths wildneſs I have ſeen,
And in perplexed middle Age have been:
Sickneſs, dangers, and anxieties have paſt,
And on this ſtage am come to act my laſt.
I have been young and …rong and wiſe as you:
But now Bis pueri ſene…, is too true.
In every Age I've found much vanity,
An end of all perfection now I ſee.
It's not my valour, honour, nor my gold,
My ruin'd houſe now falling can uphold,
It's not my learning Rhetorick wit ſo large,
Hath now the power, death's warfare to diſcharge▪
It's not my goodly ſtate, nor bed of downe
That can refreſh, or eaſe if Conſcience frown.
Nor from Alliance can I now have hope,
But what I have done well, that is my prop;
He that in youth is godly, wiſe and ſage,
Provides a ſtaff then to ſupport his Age.
Mutations great, ſome joyful and ſome ſad,
In this ſhort pilgrimage I oft have had.
Sometimes the Heavens with plenty ſmil'd on me
Sometime again rain'd all Adverſity.
Sometimes in honour, ſometimes in diſgrace,
Sometime an Ab…ct, then again in place.
Such private changes oft mine eyes have ſeen,
In various times of ſtate I've alſo been.
I've ſeen a Kingdome flouriſh like a tree,
When it was rul'd by that Celeſtial ſhe;
And like a Cedar, others ſo ſurmount:
That but for ſhrubs they did themſelves account.
Then ſaw I France and Holland, ſav'd Cales won,
And Philip and Albertus half undone.
I ſaw all peace at home, terror to foes,
But ah, I ſaw at laſt thoſe eyes to cloſe,
And then methought the day at noon grew dark
When it had loſt that radiant Sun-like Spark:
In midſt of griefs I ſaw our hopes revive,
(For 'twas our hopes then kept our hearts alive)
We chang'd our queen for king under whoſe rayes
We joy'd in many bleſt and proſperous dayes.
I've ſeen a Prince, the glory of our land
In prime of youth ſeiz'd by heavens angry hand,
Which fil'd our hearts with fears, with tears our eyes,
Wailing his fate & our own deſtinies.
I've ſeen from Rome an execrable thing,
A Plot to blow up Nobles and their King,
But ſaw their horrid fact ſoon diſappointed,
And Land & Nobles ſav'd with their anointed.
I've Princes ſeen to live on others lands;
A royal one by gifts from ſtrangers hands
Admired for their magnanimity,
Who loſt a Prince-dome and a Monarchy.
I've ſeen deſigns for Ree and Rochel croſt,
And poor Palatinate for ever loſt
I've ſeen unworthy men advanced high,
(And better ones ſuffer extremity)
But neither favour, riches, title, State,
Could length their dayes or once reverſe their fate
I've ſeen one ſtab'd, and ſome to looſe their heads
And others fly, ſtruck both with gilt and dread.
I've ſeen and ſo have you▪ for tis but late,
The deſolation of a goodly State,
Plotted and acted ſo that none can tell,
VVho gave the counſel, but the Prince of hell,
Three hundred thouſand ſlaughtered innocents,
By bloudy Popiſh, helliſh miſcreants:
Oh may you live, and ſo you will I truſt
To ſee them ſwill in bloud untill they burſt.
I've ſeen a King by force thruſt from his throne,
And an Uſurper ſubt'ly mount thereon.
I've ſeen a ſtate unmoulded rent in twain,
But ye may live to ſee't made up again.
I've ſeen it plunder'd, taxt and ſoak'd in bloud,
But out of evill you may ſee much good.
What are my thoughts, this is no time to ſay.
Men may more freely ſpeak another day.
Theſe are no old-wives tales, but this is truth,
We old men love to tell what's done in youth.
But I return from whence I ſtept awry,
My memory is bad, my brain is dry:
Mine Almond tree, grey hairs, doe flouriſh now,
And back once ſtraight, apace begins to bow:
My grinders now are few, my ſight doth …ail,
My skin is wrinkled, and my cheeks are pale,
No more rejoyce at muſicks pleaſing noiſe,
But waking glad to hear the cocks ſhrill voice:
I cannot ſcent ſavours of pleaſant meat,
Nor ſapors find in what I drink or eat:
My arms and hands once ſtrong have loſt their might
I cannot labour, much leſs can I fight.
My comely legs as nimble as the Roe
Now ſtiff and numb, can hardly creep or goe,
My heart ſometimes as fierce as Lion bold,
Now trembling is, all fearful ſad and cold;
My golden Bowl and ſilver Cord e're long
Shall both be broke, by racking death ſo ſtrong:
Then ſhall I go whence I ſhall come no more,
Sons, Nephews leave my farewel to deplore.
In pleaſures and in labours I have found
That Earth can give no conſolation found;
To great to rich to poor▪ to young to old,
To mean to noble, fearful or to bold:
From King to begger all degrees ſhall find
But vanity vexation of the mind.
Yea knowing much the pleaſants life of all,
Hath yet among thoſe ſweets ſome bitter gall;
Though reading others works doth much refreſh,
Yet ſtudying much brings wearineſs to th' fleſh:
My ſtudies, labours readings all are done,
And my laſt period now ev'n almoſt run.
Corruption my Father I do call▪
Mother and Siſters both, the worms that crawle
In my dark houſe ſuch kindred I have ſtore,
Where I ſhall reſt till heavens ſhall be no more,
And when this fleſh ſhall rot and be conſum'd,
This body by this Soul ſhall be aſſum'd:
And I ſhall ſee with theſe ſame very eyes,
My ſtrong Redeemer coming in the Skies.
Triumph I ſhall o're ſin, o're death, o're Hell,
And in that hope I bid you all farewel.